Note:

SOO sorry for the late update! It was exam week, thank you for the dedicated people who

waited for this chapter. ALL REVIEWS R WELCOMEEEE

Dally Pov:

The kid started talking about running, I couldn't take it. It was all my fault- MY FAULT. God, I

wished he would stop talking about running. The guilt started mounting until finally stepped up

and hugged him. Something I kept telling myself everyday in Tulsa to forget about. Pony

seemed shocked, but tried to return. He grimaced in pain and seemed to be uncomfortable

about his leg. For the first time ever, I was scared. Scared of his reaction once he found out. I

could tell nobody wanted to break the news to him. I let out a deep sigh and tried to find the right

words to tell him. Darry shot me a nervous glance and Two-Bit's smile was nowhere to be found.

Before I could even say a word, Ponyboy suddenly ripped off his blanket. Sharp breaths were

heard all over the room while everybody waited for Ponyboy's reaction. At first, he seemed

alright. Suddenly his heart monitor blared as his breath came in gasps. Nurses flooded into the

room as Soda gently touched his shoulder, but he flinched away. He then started asking where

his leg went and I answered as best as I could.

" Ponyboy… you gatta calm down. Your..your leg had to be amp-." Before I could finish that

word, he went completely still. I even thought he was dead, other than the steady beep of his

heart. The nurse injected a sedative shot and had this sympathetic smile. I wanted to punch that

smile off her face. She wouldn't have done it if nothing was wrong.

" His reaction was expected so I gave him some painkillers and a sedative. He is also

recovering as expected and can be discharged by the end of the week with some physical

therapy. My best advice as of now is just being there for him. He seems like such a sweet kid."

WIth that she left the room leaving us all staring at Ponyboy. He looked at least three years

younger in that huge hospital bed. Covered in the bright blue blanket and all those machines

surrounding him. I made an excuse of needing a cigarette and ran outta that room. The truth

was, the tough hardened hood Dallas Winston was breaking. I was on my fifth cigarette when

Johnny approached me.

Ponyboy Pov:

The week went quickly leading up to my discharge date. Everyday the gang would visit trying to

distract me from what they called, "depression". Two Bit came by everyday watching Mickey

mouse inside my room and cracking jokes that were met by silence. I was mad at the world for

taking away my only passion. Sometimes I would snap at people without meaning anything. I

just wanted a reaction from people, anything to take out the pity from their eyes. I was still

trapped in my madness until a nurse came in with a wheelchair along with the gang. Sodapop

held bright yellow balloons saying get better with a grin that could beat Two bit's. It was about

time to be discharged I thought as they wheeled me outta there. Everybody seemed excited

during the car ride, chatting about something amongst themselves while I looked outside. There

was a pack of crows soaring in the air looking more free than I could ever be. I envied the crows

and that only made the hole in my heart bigger.

The car came to a stop and Dallas told me to stay seated, I mean what other choice was

there? Anyways, after about ten minutes he came back with a wheelchair and a grin. God I

missed his carefree smiles although it's hard to admit sometimes. Dallas wheeled me into

Curtis's house carefully and when I least expected it, confetti exploded in my face. I let out a

scream as the gang including the Curtis parents yelled SURPRISE. I never really dug surprises

like Dallas does. Back in the city Dallas used to sneak into haunted houses during Halloween

events when we were little. I usually clung to his jacket for dear life as he dragged me into the

back entrance. This welcome back party was definitely one of the worst surprises in my life. It

just reminded me that I will never have my leg back again. I felt tears prick at the corner of my

eyes as everybody's face practically dropped to the ground. I lightly shoved Dallas so he let go

of the wheelchair and wheeled into the guest bedroom. Then I let my emotions loose, outside I

could hear the worried chatter soon followed by the revving of a car. Slowly footsteps were

heard near "my" room and Dallas slipped in. He didn't say anything though and I was fine with it.

For once it felt like he understood me. We sat like that for a couple minutes before I spoke up.

"Who left?" Dallas stared right at me as he answered me.

" The Curtis parents, something about giving us space to talk." His gaze was soft as if a barrier

had been broken. It made me turn my sight straight ahead.

" Can you knock it off?" Dallas seemed surprised at this.

" Knock off what?" At that moment I thought he was the dumbest hood on earth.

" The whole pity thing. Also stop staring at me like that, it makes me feel like you actually care."

Bewildered, Dallas shot back.

" What do you mean I don't care?! If this is about me not wanting you here then I'm sorry

alright? I didn't mean it Ponyboy, I was just so mad. God, I just-I just had to leave New york

alright? It has nothing to do with you and I actually left for your own sake believe it or not." With

that he just left. Does he really think I would believe that leaving me was actually for protection?

I kept sulking for like an hour before I heard the distant sirens of a cop car getting closer. Soon,

there was a knock at the door and it got me curious enough to peek outside. Through the crack

of the door, I saw a cop holding his hat and looking down. I caught a glimpse of his words.

" I'm sorry to inform you-

Mrs. Andrea Curtis and Mr. Daryl Curtis-

Come down to identify the body-" then there was an eerie silence as Sodapop broke down

crying and Darry's face turned white, matching the rest of the gang's faces. At that moment all I

could think about was that I had them killed. They died trying to give ME space. I couldn't take it

anymore, nothing ever goes right whenever I am. Dallas probably would have been killed too if

he had stayed with me. The walls were closing in as my breath came in gasps, I could hear

footsteps coming my way followed with sobs from probably Soda. I couldn't take being informed

again so I did what I did best, escape. I had to think quickly as I grabbed my crutches. Originally

I was restricted from using crutches so soon and was expected to wait at least five months, but

right now a wheelchair wouldn't fit through the window. Wobbling quite a bit from the lack of

practice, I threw my crutches/backpack down the window and prepared to jump down. Besides,

it was only about 3 metres. I then proceeded to jump down and roll on the grass, ignoring the

stabbing pain in my stub. I could hear the door open as I grabbed my crutches and hobbled

away as fast as I could. For the second time this week, I could hear my name being frantically

called and the rustle of commotion as I hid in an alleyway. A member of the gang that I could

recognize as Steve ran straight past the alleyway without noticing me. I let out a raspy breath of

relief, what will I do now? Suddenly the nearby whistle of a train echoed nearby. It was like a

sign for me to travel somewhere far away from Tulsa and start fresh. Checking if anybody I

knew were nearby, I hobbled over to the nearest bus stop. I rummaged around my backpack

and found that I still had some spare change left over from the part time job I had back in New

York. When the bus arrived, I paid my fare and watched as the streets of tulsa slowly

disappeared.